Monthly Archives: June 2010
Western Scrub-Jay
Scientific Name: Alphelocoma californica Behavior/diet: Western Scrub-Jays tend to hop and jump along as they scavenge for food instead of walk. They are omnivores, and eat a wide variety of things. Western Scrub-Jays eat insects, spiders, and snails in summer, … Continue reading
Posted in jays, crows, and kin
Common Yellowthroat
Scientific Name: Geothlypis trichas Habitat: Common Yellowthroats live in wetlands. They prefer dense shrubby vegetation, to help hide them from predetors such as snakes, Red-Tailed Hawks, opposums, raccoons, and other predators. Common Yellowthroats can be found in city parks, wet … Continue reading
Posted in warblers
Red-Breasted Nuthatch
Scientific Name: Sitta canadensis Behavior: The Red-Breasted Nuthatch climbs down trees head first to get at the insects in crevices that woodpeckers and other insect-eating birds did not notice going up the trees. Red-Breasted Nuthatches start at the top of … Continue reading
Posted in chickadees, nuthatches, and allies
Tagged and allies, chickadees, nuthatches
Violet-Green Swallow
Scientific Name: Tachycineta thalassina Nesting: The Violet-Green Swallow is a cavity nester. It places its nest in a cavity in cliffs, old woodpecker holes, buildings , or nest boxes. The nest is made from grass, small twigs, straw, rootlets, and … Continue reading
Posted in swallows
Tagged and allies, chickadees, nuthatches, swallows
Belted Kingfisher
Scientific Name: Ceryle alcyon Diet: The Belted Kingfisher eats a variety of foods. The main diet of a Belted Kingfisher is fish, but they also eat aquatic invertebrates, crayfish, frogs, snails, tadpoles, and insects. Belted Kingfishers even eat small vertebrates, … Continue reading
Posted in kingfishers
Bewick’s Wren
Scientific Name: Thryomanes bewickii Sound: The Bewick’s Wren has a beautiful voice. Its song is a variation of whistles and trills sung by the male at nesting time when he uses song to defend his and his mates nesting territory. … Continue reading
Posted in chickadees, nuthatches, and allies
Cedar Waxwing
Scientific Name: Bombycilla cedrorum Interesting Info: The Cedar Waxwing is an interesting bird. Flocks can descend on a bush with berries and strip it within minutes, and if the berries have fermented these bird can actually get drunk! The wings … Continue reading
Posted in Waxwings
Black-Headed Grosbeak
Scientific Name: Pheycticus melanocephalus Sound: The Black-Headed Grosbeak has a beautiful voice. It sounds somewhat like a robin, but it doesn’t follow an exact pattern. It is warbily at times, and sounds very flutelike. The notes are sung with short … Continue reading
Posted in finches
Western Tanager
Scientific Name: Piranga lodoviciana Habitat: Western Tanagers range in much of western north America. They can be found in conifer or mixed forests, but during migration Western Tanagers can be found many other places as well including suburban yards, orchards, … Continue reading
Posted in tanagers